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Juniper Trilogy #1
Juniper
Juniper is the first book in Ross Jeffery’s novella trilogy: a post-apocalyptic horror about an insane American town seemingly at the edge of reality. As Juniper suffers from scorching drought and medieval famine, the townsfolk are forced to rely on the ‘new cattle’ for food: monstrous interbred cats kept by the oppressed Janet Lehey.
But there’s a problem: Janet’s prized ginger tom, Bucky, has gone missing, flown the coop. As Janet and her deranged ex-con husband Klein intensify their search for the hulking mongrel, Betty Davis, an old woman clinging to survival on the outskirts of Juniper, discovers something large and ginger and lying half-dead by the side of the road.
She decides to take it home…
Juniper is surreal, dark, funny, and at times: excruciatingly grotesque. Buckle up for a wild ride through the dust-ridden roads of a tiny, half-forgotten American town…
But there’s a problem: Janet’s prized ginger tom, Bucky, has gone missing, flown the coop. As Janet and her deranged ex-con husband Klein intensify their search for the hulking mongrel, Betty Davis, an old woman clinging to survival on the outskirts of Juniper, discovers something large and ginger and lying half-dead by the side of the road.
She decides to take it home…
Juniper is surreal, dark, funny, and at times: excruciatingly grotesque. Buckle up for a wild ride through the dust-ridden roads of a tiny, half-forgotten American town…
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2020
23 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
Ross Jeffery
28 books362 followersRoss Jeffery is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of 'Tome', 'Juniper', 'Scorched', 'Only The Stains Remain' and 'Tethered'.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
October 12, 2020
In the deep south of America is a rural town called Juniper. This story finds us in the midst of an apocalyptic-style heatwave. The author, Ross Jeffery, makes sure readers understand the utter isolation and disparity of Juniper's situation. It's bad. Jeffery's descriptive language is both immersive and unsettling.
Following dual narratives, that of Janet and her abusive husband Klein who run a farm on the outskirts of town where the locals come to replenish their unusual food source
and Betty, a woman who scavenges roadkill for her own sustainability.
One day, Betty finds something large and half-dead on the side of the road and decides to bring it home and nurse it back to health while Janet and Klein's domestic drama is coming to a boiling point.
Man, the stories of these two women are provocative and weird, I couldn't stop reading. Jeffery's storytelling voice is dynamic and compelling; drawing the reader in with strange, disturbing details that are both alluring and intoxicating.
As tantalizing as all of this sounds, this is not an easy book to recommend. There are some pretty serious triggers for sensitive readers and usually, I will tap out of books for less but there is something wholly and powerfully genuine about the way all of these unsavory actions are necessary to the stories of Janet and Betty. None of this for shock value or to be overly grotesque--everything serves the characters and their development; the furthering of the plot. The more I think about it, the more affection I have for this book. When I first finished, I was recovering from the ending and a sense of "what did I just read?"
But after marinating in my experience and sharing my thoughts with another reviewer, the more respect I have for what was accomplished here. The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars were for some minor things that pulled me out of the story. Some awkward descriptions like a couch being as 'lumpy as an acne-ridden face' which confused me. Just a few of those.
I'm eager to get to the next dark chapter of Juniper which is a thicker novel called, TOME.
Following dual narratives, that of Janet and her abusive husband Klein who run a farm on the outskirts of town where the locals come to replenish their unusual food source
and Betty, a woman who scavenges roadkill for her own sustainability.
One day, Betty finds something large and half-dead on the side of the road and decides to bring it home and nurse it back to health while Janet and Klein's domestic drama is coming to a boiling point.
Man, the stories of these two women are provocative and weird, I couldn't stop reading. Jeffery's storytelling voice is dynamic and compelling; drawing the reader in with strange, disturbing details that are both alluring and intoxicating.
As tantalizing as all of this sounds, this is not an easy book to recommend. There are some pretty serious triggers for sensitive readers and usually, I will tap out of books for less but there is something wholly and powerfully genuine about the way all of these unsavory actions are necessary to the stories of Janet and Betty. None of this for shock value or to be overly grotesque--everything serves the characters and their development; the furthering of the plot. The more I think about it, the more affection I have for this book. When I first finished, I was recovering from the ending and a sense of "what did I just read?"
But after marinating in my experience and sharing my thoughts with another reviewer, the more respect I have for what was accomplished here. The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars were for some minor things that pulled me out of the story. Some awkward descriptions like a couch being as 'lumpy as an acne-ridden face' which confused me. Just a few of those.
I'm eager to get to the next dark chapter of Juniper which is a thicker novel called, TOME.
September 3, 2021
I flew through this book, I was instantly captivated from the very first page. I felt like I was right there in Juniper - a sad little town with its crazy inhabitants. Very well written and unique. Looking forward to reading Tome, the second book in the trilogy.
January 18, 2020
Ross Jeffery's Juniper is not for the faint of heart. Visceral and raw but always poetic, Jeffery successfully channels Chuck Palahniuk and Stephen King at their shocking best. You'll want to look away at times, but trust me when I say, you won't dare turn your back on Juniper.
October 16, 2023
3.5⭐'s
May 21, 2022
I read Tethered by this author and loved it. There is no doubt whatsoever that Ross Jefferey is a fabulous writer.
One of the great strengths of this novella for me was the depiction of Juniper itself. The author really conjures the sense of devastation within the town, the sense of worthlessness, and that feeling of hopelessness and abandonment was delivered in several, clever ways. Here’s an example...
The MC, Betty, is recalling a character she knew long ago...“ He was able to spit corn into a hat from well over twenty feet; he was in the Guinness Book of World Records, until someone from Mantiowoc County beat him by another two feet and then he and Juniper disappeared from memory.” In my opinion that’s an example of witty sarcasm used for positive effect. By referring to something other than explicit events we not only get a sense of place but also a sense of character. Very clever!
What else can I say about it? Well paced, no slow moments, sprinkled with dark humor, a clever ending that I daren’t discuss or it will act as a spoiler... oh, and an atmospheric heat that stays with you long after you finish reading.
So why 4 stars and not 5? One reason and one reason only: I prefer my horror soft boiled, less gore and more suggestive. I wouldn’t say I’m a timid reader, but I had to skim read a few of the scenes depicting the cat. It’s a personal taste thing, and I’m well aware that other readers will love the graphic scenes.
Despite this, I still want to read his next book, Tome, as the atmosphere is a winner.
One of the great strengths of this novella for me was the depiction of Juniper itself. The author really conjures the sense of devastation within the town, the sense of worthlessness, and that feeling of hopelessness and abandonment was delivered in several, clever ways. Here’s an example...
The MC, Betty, is recalling a character she knew long ago...“ He was able to spit corn into a hat from well over twenty feet; he was in the Guinness Book of World Records, until someone from Mantiowoc County beat him by another two feet and then he and Juniper disappeared from memory.” In my opinion that’s an example of witty sarcasm used for positive effect. By referring to something other than explicit events we not only get a sense of place but also a sense of character. Very clever!
What else can I say about it? Well paced, no slow moments, sprinkled with dark humor, a clever ending that I daren’t discuss or it will act as a spoiler... oh, and an atmospheric heat that stays with you long after you finish reading.
So why 4 stars and not 5? One reason and one reason only: I prefer my horror soft boiled, less gore and more suggestive. I wouldn’t say I’m a timid reader, but I had to skim read a few of the scenes depicting the cat. It’s a personal taste thing, and I’m well aware that other readers will love the graphic scenes.
Despite this, I still want to read his next book, Tome, as the atmosphere is a winner.
November 11, 2020
I read this book in a couple of sittings.
Always a good sign.
For me, there's not much to fault. I'd be nitpicking if I did.
Rich setting. Strong characters. A story that takes a turn and almost turns your stomach in the process. It made me think of something Edward Lorn would do.
In fact, Lorn and Jeffery could make one hell of a story if they ever collaborated.
Just a thought.
But anyway...
Juniper is one scorcher of a novella, charging along at a blistering pace.
Every pun intended.
Add this to your TBR list now.
It edges past a 4 for me.
I'm giving it a 4.5 and rounding it up to 5.
I think it's deserved
Right, I'm off to buy TOME.
Always a good sign.
For me, there's not much to fault. I'd be nitpicking if I did.
Rich setting. Strong characters. A story that takes a turn and almost turns your stomach in the process. It made me think of something Edward Lorn would do.
In fact, Lorn and Jeffery could make one hell of a story if they ever collaborated.
Just a thought.
But anyway...
Juniper is one scorcher of a novella, charging along at a blistering pace.
Every pun intended.
Add this to your TBR list now.
It edges past a 4 for me.
I'm giving it a 4.5 and rounding it up to 5.
I think it's deserved
Right, I'm off to buy TOME.
December 30, 2020
Not for the squeamish!.....
Juniper had me questioning myself. This read can get very gut wrenching, twisted and gruesome and yet some how I was still able to eat a snack while reading it.
This is my first experience with Ross's work and it most definitely won't be my last! Ross's work is so dark yet extremely inviting.
Juniper is a unique post apocalyptic story, unlike anything I have read.
Ross creates this world that is dark, disgusting and extremely brutal yet you have these over whelming heart warming moments between characters and friendships that bloom. This is NOT easy for an author to do and Ross just killed it!
Characters that you can't help but gain some type of connection with and you only want to read more. A town that has been struck with devastation but that still has the smallest bit of normal routine lingering.
I am eager to get into Tome. I also look forward to picking up Ross's piece Tethered that is a complete different genre from Juniper and Tome but that I have heart is a powerful, emotional read.
Thank you Ross for sharing your sinister mind with us all!
And of course thank you all for reading.
Your SNACKY Book Worm
-Nichi
Juniper had me questioning myself. This read can get very gut wrenching, twisted and gruesome and yet some how I was still able to eat a snack while reading it.
This is my first experience with Ross's work and it most definitely won't be my last! Ross's work is so dark yet extremely inviting.
Juniper is a unique post apocalyptic story, unlike anything I have read.
Ross creates this world that is dark, disgusting and extremely brutal yet you have these over whelming heart warming moments between characters and friendships that bloom. This is NOT easy for an author to do and Ross just killed it!
Characters that you can't help but gain some type of connection with and you only want to read more. A town that has been struck with devastation but that still has the smallest bit of normal routine lingering.
I am eager to get into Tome. I also look forward to picking up Ross's piece Tethered that is a complete different genre from Juniper and Tome but that I have heart is a powerful, emotional read.
Thank you Ross for sharing your sinister mind with us all!
And of course thank you all for reading.
Your SNACKY Book Worm
-Nichi
January 16, 2022
With his debut novella, and first foray into the rural southern town of Juniper, Ross Jeffery brings the weird and the horrific all in one fell swoop. Yet he imbues every page with poetic beauty. Replete with vividly painted portraits of this post-apocalyptic version of the American south and stunning metaphor, Juniper sets itself apart from similar portrayals. While other post-apocalyptic fare may revel deeply in the grit, Juniper allows the true horror of humanity to mingle with isolation and desolation; a story that leaves hope at the door.
Reader beware, there are scenes-one in particular comes to mind-that are decidedly not for the squeamish. With limited knowledge of-ahem-anatomy, I can't verify Jeffery's working knowledge, but here's the thing. He writes with confidence, assertion. The scene in question could be pure bunk, and I would buy every morsel because of how convincingly the author sells it.
Certain parts of the story are left ambiguous, allowing the reader to interpret and fill in blanks. This is something that resonates with me. Readers may find themselves rereading certain passages, not trusting their recollection. The clues are there, but Jeffery allows you to do with them what you will.
Though it contains notes of Donald Ray Pollock's Knockemstiff, Juniper forges its own path. It creates a world we've only glimpsed a small portion of. And it seems Ross Jeffery has more sights to show us.
Reader beware, there are scenes-one in particular comes to mind-that are decidedly not for the squeamish. With limited knowledge of-ahem-anatomy, I can't verify Jeffery's working knowledge, but here's the thing. He writes with confidence, assertion. The scene in question could be pure bunk, and I would buy every morsel because of how convincingly the author sells it.
Certain parts of the story are left ambiguous, allowing the reader to interpret and fill in blanks. This is something that resonates with me. Readers may find themselves rereading certain passages, not trusting their recollection. The clues are there, but Jeffery allows you to do with them what you will.
Though it contains notes of Donald Ray Pollock's Knockemstiff, Juniper forges its own path. It creates a world we've only glimpsed a small portion of. And it seems Ross Jeffery has more sights to show us.
December 5, 2019
** edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
“Those on the outskirts were left to fend for themselves.”
One trope that I find hard to sometimes dive into is post-apocalyptic stories. Far too often we end up going down the same narrative and we get some cookie-cutter characters that have to struggle to survive and meet bad people along the way.
Juniper by Ross Jeffery is here to throw that idea out the window.
Ross contacted me to see if I’d be willing to give this book a read and maybe blurb it and after reading it, I am stunned with how good of a book this is. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
What’s it about?
Well in the not so distant future, it no longer rains. The residents of small-town Juniper struggle to survive. Food is scarce, the heat –unbearable.
And so it goes, we get introduced to the elderly Betty, one of the most enjoyable characters I’ve experienced in some time. She lives far on the outskirts and has to rely on roadkill to make sure she doesn’t starve.
Along the way, Jeffery introduces a few other characters and we quickly learn that not all that we see on the surface is how things are.
This book moves along at breakneck speed and I found I became so engrossed in it that I had to find out just what came next.
This is the beautifully disfigured child of Kealan Patrick Burke’s ‘Kin’ and Ania Ahlborn’s ‘Brother.’
This book is deeply unsettling, horrific over and over again, but also tender and gentle.
This all comes back to just how deft of a writer Jeffery is. I’ve only read a few short stories of his from an upcoming anthology from The Writing Collective, but let me tell you –he writes like the best of them.
The ending is highly cathartic in a way that will make you smile but also question what comes next.
Let’s hope Jeffery will tell us.
“Those on the outskirts were left to fend for themselves.”
One trope that I find hard to sometimes dive into is post-apocalyptic stories. Far too often we end up going down the same narrative and we get some cookie-cutter characters that have to struggle to survive and meet bad people along the way.
Juniper by Ross Jeffery is here to throw that idea out the window.
Ross contacted me to see if I’d be willing to give this book a read and maybe blurb it and after reading it, I am stunned with how good of a book this is. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
What’s it about?
Well in the not so distant future, it no longer rains. The residents of small-town Juniper struggle to survive. Food is scarce, the heat –unbearable.
And so it goes, we get introduced to the elderly Betty, one of the most enjoyable characters I’ve experienced in some time. She lives far on the outskirts and has to rely on roadkill to make sure she doesn’t starve.
Along the way, Jeffery introduces a few other characters and we quickly learn that not all that we see on the surface is how things are.
This book moves along at breakneck speed and I found I became so engrossed in it that I had to find out just what came next.
This is the beautifully disfigured child of Kealan Patrick Burke’s ‘Kin’ and Ania Ahlborn’s ‘Brother.’
This book is deeply unsettling, horrific over and over again, but also tender and gentle.
This all comes back to just how deft of a writer Jeffery is. I’ve only read a few short stories of his from an upcoming anthology from The Writing Collective, but let me tell you –he writes like the best of them.
The ending is highly cathartic in a way that will make you smile but also question what comes next.
Let’s hope Jeffery will tell us.
March 3, 2020
Well written.....but not for me.
Very disappointed in this being reviewed so highly as a horror story. I’m not sure really what genre this fits, perhaps shock horror, or dystopian of sorts. I found the overall story just sad and disturbing. The writer clearly intended to disturb with the unusual fare being served up but I still wouldn’t write this up as a great “horror” story.
That being said, it was well written, had some funny lines, great visual descriptions. The writer does have talent and I’m not against trying further books, just this particular story, I felt would have been better suited to a magazine or short story anthology with other shocking or extreme topics.
I also expected a more well rounded story based on the reviews and book synopsis but again was disappointed. I was eager to read of a town in distress, of meeting many rugged townsfolk just trying to survive their poor fate, of being exposed to the many secrets behind their closed doors but sadly the entire story centered around two women and one violent man.
It’s a fast read, not long at all and as I stated, well-written. Get it on Kindle unlimited when available and check it out if you like gross, bizarre or just strange tales. If not, wait for the next book. I’m curious to see how the next novel unfolds.
Very disappointed in this being reviewed so highly as a horror story. I’m not sure really what genre this fits, perhaps shock horror, or dystopian of sorts. I found the overall story just sad and disturbing. The writer clearly intended to disturb with the unusual fare being served up but I still wouldn’t write this up as a great “horror” story.
That being said, it was well written, had some funny lines, great visual descriptions. The writer does have talent and I’m not against trying further books, just this particular story, I felt would have been better suited to a magazine or short story anthology with other shocking or extreme topics.
I also expected a more well rounded story based on the reviews and book synopsis but again was disappointed. I was eager to read of a town in distress, of meeting many rugged townsfolk just trying to survive their poor fate, of being exposed to the many secrets behind their closed doors but sadly the entire story centered around two women and one violent man.
It’s a fast read, not long at all and as I stated, well-written. Get it on Kindle unlimited when available and check it out if you like gross, bizarre or just strange tales. If not, wait for the next book. I’m curious to see how the next novel unfolds.
March 26, 2021
Dystopian? Post-apocalyptic? I really can't say. What I can say, however, is that the little town of Juniper is in some dire straits. So much so that roadkill has become somewhat of a delicacy. This is to say that the atmosphere is as thick as cat shank in Ross Jeffery's novella, and that isn't the half of it--it's also a great read. Full of the aforementioned atmosphere and an antagonist I came to hate. Such a thing isn't required when I'm reading, no, but I admit to enjoying the impending comeuppance that much more. There is also Betty and Janet, our two protagonists, who are slaves to very different masters. Add in a delicate swerve and a narrator that may not have been as forthcoming as they could have been and you have all the ingredients that bring someone like me back for more. Go forth, seek out, purchase and enjoy. Tell 'em another lover of Juniper sent you. Fun was had!
May 1, 2021
Ross Jeffrey has been bounding to the front of the horror writing pack, and it's easy to see why - this compact debut is intense, well plotted, and with an utterly unique concept. Jeffrey excels at imbuing deeply disturbing horror into the seemingly banal, and I can't wait to read the next in series.
October 15, 2020
You remember those old "Beef. It's What's For Dinner" commercials? Yea, well beef is no longer on the menu for the residents of Juniper. Chicken and pork are out too. Sounds like a vegetarian paradise right? Wrong. No crops either. After severe flooding washed away all of the farmland now a scorching heatwave and drought are plaguing the small neglected town clinging to life somewhere in the American South. We'll come back to this later. So what is there to eat you ask? Well some folks like Betty have resorted to scavenging roadkill for their next meal. Others like Janet have started raising livestock of a different breed.
Speaking of Betty and Janet the main strength of this book in my opinion was in the character work. Betty is a lonely old lady living on the outskirts of town doing what she can to survive. She might be a bit senile and odd but she's a character that you can root for. One day while picking up roadkill she comes across something large and not quite dead yet on the side of the road. She quickly takes it home before anyone else can lay claim to her prize.
Janet is the opposite of the recluse on the edge of town. She's actually become a bit famous as of late with her "new cattle" that is keeping the bellies of the townsfolk full. This isn’t your ordinary food though. Janet is interbreeding monstrous cats and serving them up for dinner. You'll sympathise with Janet though as you learn that everyone in town sees the burn marks and bruises that Janet tries to cover up but no one mentions. These marks are courtesy of Janet's husband Klein. A soured soul wrapped in a suit of flesh. Klein is a hateful, hot tempered, abusive man who is easy to loathe.
These three characters' lives intertwine and are the heart of the tale. When Bucky, Janet's prized ginger tom cat, goes missing it happens to be right around the time Betty finds her prized roadkill. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. You'll have to read for yourself and find out. One event leads to another as our characters are set on a collision course that is both shocking and violent. I don't think I've fully wrapped my head around the ending, I have some questions. You might need some suspension of disbelief for everything to neatly fall into place but it was a bold decision by the author that I applaud.
Let's backtrack and talk about the town of Juniper itself for a minute. It is a flyspeck of a town long since faded from the memories of America. There are no visitors who come to Juniper, only those passing through who catch a fleeting glimpse of the decay as they speed along the 701 towards their destinations. Left to its own devices with no aid coming from the government or its neighboring counties Juniper is on the slide towards ruin. The synopsis says this is post-apocalyptic but I disagree. When I think post-apocalyptic I picture a world where society has broken down and crumbled leaving the survivors to brutality fend for themselves. We aren't quite there yet. Things are bad don't get me wrong but we still have a functioning, mostly civilized community here. If anything this feels pre-apocalyptic. I believe another fellow reviewer used that same term. The flood and now the scorching heat feel like precursors for the beginning of the end for Juniper but we aren't all the way there yet.
Time and place feel a bit ambiguous here in my opinion. It didn't detract from the narrative itself but was something that just felt a bit off. Let me try and explain what I mean by that. Firstly I don't know if it ever says but I believe the story takes place in the 2000's. As I was reading along I'd be lulled into this feeling of the story taking place in the 40's or 50's, another American Dust Bowl, only to have a character mention the computer at the library or have someone pull out a cell phone. Again not a big deal, just something I felt. Juniper is a town set in the American South but it was hard for me to pinpoint down just where it would be located. It almost seemed to float around in the idea of what someone thought the South would be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the time and place didn't feel concrete to me. I'm sure to most all other readers this won't even be a thing that blips on their radar.
Bold, bizarre, and grotesque. Juniper by Ross Jeffery is a perversely disturbing yet weirdly moving tale of the struggle to survive and persevere when the odds are stacked against you. Populated with characters that you can love, feel sorry for, and utterly despise. Honestly my initial gut reaction when I finished this was that it was a three star read. After sitting on it and letting my thoughts simmer while also talking to other reviewers who've read it I think I appreciate what Ross has crafted here even more so. I'm very much looking forward to reading more about the town of Juniper and its residents in the next book Tome.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/ibfQBZq26rw
Speaking of Betty and Janet the main strength of this book in my opinion was in the character work. Betty is a lonely old lady living on the outskirts of town doing what she can to survive. She might be a bit senile and odd but she's a character that you can root for. One day while picking up roadkill she comes across something large and not quite dead yet on the side of the road. She quickly takes it home before anyone else can lay claim to her prize.
Janet is the opposite of the recluse on the edge of town. She's actually become a bit famous as of late with her "new cattle" that is keeping the bellies of the townsfolk full. This isn’t your ordinary food though. Janet is interbreeding monstrous cats and serving them up for dinner. You'll sympathise with Janet though as you learn that everyone in town sees the burn marks and bruises that Janet tries to cover up but no one mentions. These marks are courtesy of Janet's husband Klein. A soured soul wrapped in a suit of flesh. Klein is a hateful, hot tempered, abusive man who is easy to loathe.
These three characters' lives intertwine and are the heart of the tale. When Bucky, Janet's prized ginger tom cat, goes missing it happens to be right around the time Betty finds her prized roadkill. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. You'll have to read for yourself and find out. One event leads to another as our characters are set on a collision course that is both shocking and violent. I don't think I've fully wrapped my head around the ending, I have some questions. You might need some suspension of disbelief for everything to neatly fall into place but it was a bold decision by the author that I applaud.
Let's backtrack and talk about the town of Juniper itself for a minute. It is a flyspeck of a town long since faded from the memories of America. There are no visitors who come to Juniper, only those passing through who catch a fleeting glimpse of the decay as they speed along the 701 towards their destinations. Left to its own devices with no aid coming from the government or its neighboring counties Juniper is on the slide towards ruin. The synopsis says this is post-apocalyptic but I disagree. When I think post-apocalyptic I picture a world where society has broken down and crumbled leaving the survivors to brutality fend for themselves. We aren't quite there yet. Things are bad don't get me wrong but we still have a functioning, mostly civilized community here. If anything this feels pre-apocalyptic. I believe another fellow reviewer used that same term. The flood and now the scorching heat feel like precursors for the beginning of the end for Juniper but we aren't all the way there yet.
Time and place feel a bit ambiguous here in my opinion. It didn't detract from the narrative itself but was something that just felt a bit off. Let me try and explain what I mean by that. Firstly I don't know if it ever says but I believe the story takes place in the 2000's. As I was reading along I'd be lulled into this feeling of the story taking place in the 40's or 50's, another American Dust Bowl, only to have a character mention the computer at the library or have someone pull out a cell phone. Again not a big deal, just something I felt. Juniper is a town set in the American South but it was hard for me to pinpoint down just where it would be located. It almost seemed to float around in the idea of what someone thought the South would be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the time and place didn't feel concrete to me. I'm sure to most all other readers this won't even be a thing that blips on their radar.
Bold, bizarre, and grotesque. Juniper by Ross Jeffery is a perversely disturbing yet weirdly moving tale of the struggle to survive and persevere when the odds are stacked against you. Populated with characters that you can love, feel sorry for, and utterly despise. Honestly my initial gut reaction when I finished this was that it was a three star read. After sitting on it and letting my thoughts simmer while also talking to other reviewers who've read it I think I appreciate what Ross has crafted here even more so. I'm very much looking forward to reading more about the town of Juniper and its residents in the next book Tome.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/ibfQBZq26rw
October 20, 2020
If I was to spend precious time in this review giving the basic premise of the plot, chances are you wouldn’t choose to read this book. It’s not that the plot is boring or unimaginative, but more so that the atmosphere created in this story is its focal point. Don’t worry, this statement will make more sense soon.
Juniper is a small town that succumbed to great floods in its past. But that was then and now the place is a scorched wasteland. Times are tough for the residents, many of whom struggle to find where their next meal is coming from. The descriptions of the town and the environment are simple and to the point; not pages of detailed waffling. With these few chosen words Jeffery is able to perfectly capture the almost cataclysmic heat that infects Juniper and its denizens.
And this is great storytelling. A thoroughly depressing setting that entices you to keep reading. I’m pretty sure my Kindle felt like it was overheating, such was the world-building on display. In fact, I’m still sweating!!
Anyway, on with the spoiler-free review.
Betty’s an old gal who searches for roadkill in order to survive. See, I told you things were desperate here. She lives alone in squalor and is in constant pain with her dodgy hip. If only she could find a companion, eh?
Janet is a victim of domestic abuse and violence from her husband, Klein. This dude was a nasty, deplorable character. I usually love a good bad guy, but Klein was truly horrible. His rages and derisory comments to Janet are so awful I was craving for bad things to happen to him throughout.
I’m going to stop there with characters and plot because you need to experience this one for yourself. What I will say is that the book strings you along perfectly into believing what is going on, only to rub your face in it right at the end for being such a gullible idiot. It seems as though the ending is going to reach a natural, pleasing conclusion but no, there’s a rusty spanner thrown in the air conditioning works.
If the conclusion I thought was coming had been followed through with I would have been a little disappointed, so thankfully the ending really worked for me. It’s one of those stories that you need to go back through and look for clues that you may have missed the first time round. I did in fact do this, and was impressed at how little was given away early on. Or perhaps the clues were too subtle for me.
If you fancy something a little different you really should take a trip down to Juniper. Just make sure you pack the suncream, you’re definitely going to need it.
Juniper is a small town that succumbed to great floods in its past. But that was then and now the place is a scorched wasteland. Times are tough for the residents, many of whom struggle to find where their next meal is coming from. The descriptions of the town and the environment are simple and to the point; not pages of detailed waffling. With these few chosen words Jeffery is able to perfectly capture the almost cataclysmic heat that infects Juniper and its denizens.
And this is great storytelling. A thoroughly depressing setting that entices you to keep reading. I’m pretty sure my Kindle felt like it was overheating, such was the world-building on display. In fact, I’m still sweating!!
Anyway, on with the spoiler-free review.
Betty’s an old gal who searches for roadkill in order to survive. See, I told you things were desperate here. She lives alone in squalor and is in constant pain with her dodgy hip. If only she could find a companion, eh?
Janet is a victim of domestic abuse and violence from her husband, Klein. This dude was a nasty, deplorable character. I usually love a good bad guy, but Klein was truly horrible. His rages and derisory comments to Janet are so awful I was craving for bad things to happen to him throughout.
I’m going to stop there with characters and plot because you need to experience this one for yourself. What I will say is that the book strings you along perfectly into believing what is going on, only to rub your face in it right at the end for being such a gullible idiot. It seems as though the ending is going to reach a natural, pleasing conclusion but no, there’s a rusty spanner thrown in the air conditioning works.
If the conclusion I thought was coming had been followed through with I would have been a little disappointed, so thankfully the ending really worked for me. It’s one of those stories that you need to go back through and look for clues that you may have missed the first time round. I did in fact do this, and was impressed at how little was given away early on. Or perhaps the clues were too subtle for me.
If you fancy something a little different you really should take a trip down to Juniper. Just make sure you pack the suncream, you’re definitely going to need it.
April 6, 2023
Juniper is a small desolate town. A town that leaves a crunchy grit in your teeth and a film of dirty sweat on your neck. Almost apocalyptic in nature, this smudge on your map is one you drive by no matter how low your gas tank is.
This is a grim, morose dust bowl that love had forgotten about. Dilapidated, where the only thing new is where “she remembered hearing about him growing depressed, ended up painting his shed brain grey with a shotgun.”
Here we meet Betty, an old cripple woman who stays alive by scrapping up road kill to get fresh meat. Betty lives on the edge of town with no electricity, and is thought of as the town witch.
We also meet Janet and her abusive husband Klein. Janet has started raising a new type of livestock after the floods and fires have destroyed all the towns food sources. As the old joke goes;
“Do you like cats? -Yes, but I can’t eat a whole one by myself.”
While this town is alive, it is already dead. It just keeps pushing on and pretending. Waiting for the inevitable.
This book is an intriguing chemical spill train crash. You can’t help but stare in horror at the wreckage, taking it all in, knowing there is no way you are going over to help.
This is a grim, morose dust bowl that love had forgotten about. Dilapidated, where the only thing new is where “she remembered hearing about him growing depressed, ended up painting his shed brain grey with a shotgun.”
Here we meet Betty, an old cripple woman who stays alive by scrapping up road kill to get fresh meat. Betty lives on the edge of town with no electricity, and is thought of as the town witch.
We also meet Janet and her abusive husband Klein. Janet has started raising a new type of livestock after the floods and fires have destroyed all the towns food sources. As the old joke goes;
“Do you like cats? -Yes, but I can’t eat a whole one by myself.”
While this town is alive, it is already dead. It just keeps pushing on and pretending. Waiting for the inevitable.
This book is an intriguing chemical spill train crash. You can’t help but stare in horror at the wreckage, taking it all in, knowing there is no way you are going over to help.
November 27, 2020
Juniper is in the grip of an Old Testament run of luck after floods have washed out the wildlife and the heatwave that has followed has killed off the crops and famine and drought has crippled the populance. Amidst this, old woman Betty scours the highway for roadkill to feed on and Janet has begun breeding cats, first as pests and now as livestock to sell as food to the hungry townsfolk. Their lives become intertwined when on one of her hunts, Betty finds Janet’s prized alpha cat, Bucky, having been run over and in need of medical attention.
Jeffery writes a gripping, dark tale that floats above any genre tag you might want to pigeon hole it in and sears itself to your brain. The writing is strong, taking its time to build the scene, the setting, the characters and it has been upon reading other things during and afterwards that they don’t feel as rich as what this did. With the character of Klein, Janet’s abusive husband, there is a savage note to some of the chapters reminiscent of Frank Bill’s writing and it is not always for the faint of heart.
Looking forward to Tome!
Jeffery writes a gripping, dark tale that floats above any genre tag you might want to pigeon hole it in and sears itself to your brain. The writing is strong, taking its time to build the scene, the setting, the characters and it has been upon reading other things during and afterwards that they don’t feel as rich as what this did. With the character of Klein, Janet’s abusive husband, there is a savage note to some of the chapters reminiscent of Frank Bill’s writing and it is not always for the faint of heart.
Looking forward to Tome!
January 22, 2024
I absolutley devoured this, I love strange little apocalyptic towns don't you? I find this authors writing is almost in a style of its own 'disturbingly poetic', I want to look away but I simply cannot, the prose was provactive and vivid and I felt fully immersed in the sad little town of Juniper,
Ross is a fabulous storyteller with the ability to create such a dire atmosphere of isolation and darkness and pepper it with tender heart warming moments between characters, this was a truly distinctive dystopian/apocalyptic story, can't wait to get into the second novel!
Ross is a fabulous storyteller with the ability to create such a dire atmosphere of isolation and darkness and pepper it with tender heart warming moments between characters, this was a truly distinctive dystopian/apocalyptic story, can't wait to get into the second novel!
August 26, 2020
A town ravaged by weather, forgotten by the outside world, on the verge of a famine with a bleak outlook colored in shades of beige, Juniper is an unforgiving wasteland brought to us by the talented Ross Jeffery who paints a story so vivid that upon reading it you can almost smell the decay of the roadkill that lines the streets of this pre-apocalyptic nightmare.
Within the pages we are given a smaller much more intimate tale, one that focuses loss, abuse, perseverance and strength all while we wade through the brutality of the town Juniper.
I rarely wish that books were longer. But I wish we could have spent more time with the main characters. They came alive and gave the story a richness that never weighed down the atmosphere or message inside of Juniper. They were well-constructed, relatable, and screamed for empathy, and empathized I did. I felt for them and cheered for them to overcome.
I cannot wait for Ross Jeffery to give us more. I crave more from Juniper. You will too.
Within the pages we are given a smaller much more intimate tale, one that focuses loss, abuse, perseverance and strength all while we wade through the brutality of the town Juniper.
I rarely wish that books were longer. But I wish we could have spent more time with the main characters. They came alive and gave the story a richness that never weighed down the atmosphere or message inside of Juniper. They were well-constructed, relatable, and screamed for empathy, and empathized I did. I felt for them and cheered for them to overcome.
I cannot wait for Ross Jeffery to give us more. I crave more from Juniper. You will too.
August 18, 2020
OK, I’d heard good things about this, but stayed away from potential spoilers.
Yep, I went into this blind, as I suggest you do.
Mark this down as another read in 2020 that blew me away! I salute you, Ross, for making me both squirm and shout out expletives of shock!
Ten out of effing ten.
Yep, I went into this blind, as I suggest you do.
Mark this down as another read in 2020 that blew me away! I salute you, Ross, for making me both squirm and shout out expletives of shock!
Ten out of effing ten.
May 22, 2020
A gripping read of a novella.
May 11, 2021
As a cat owner, this was a very tough read for me to get through. Tough in that I find myself especially disturbed by horror relating to the mistreatment of cats. That being said, holy crap did this story chill me to my core. I honestly don't think I'll ever think of a cat being neutered without thinking of this novella's graphic neutering scene that unsettled me to the point of speed reading. This stands testament to the fact that Ross Jeffery can write horror like a freaking boss. For that fact alone I will definitely be checking out Jeffery's other works. Besides the horror elements, this novella's strengths lie in its character work. The three main characters we follow in the story felt very authentic and were each very engaging to read. This is the result of Ross Jeffery's well-realized and intoxicating prose.
This being said, there were a couple of minor things that kept this novella from being five stars. One was that the ending (not gonna spoil it) squandered an opportunity to pit the two main women of the story against each other. It would have been something really interesting to delve into, to see how far the boundaries of friendship could be stretched in an environment of disarray. That said though, I can respect what Jeffery went for with the ending that he came up with. Another issue with the novella that I had was that their was an opportunity where Klein (the antagonist of the story) was given a little complexity that almost made him become more than just another abusive husband characterization. However, the story didn't end up fully realizing Klein's complex as I would have wanted, but this doesn't mean I found Klein to not be a poor antagonist. Overall though, if you have a strong stomach, you should not pass this tale up.
This being said, there were a couple of minor things that kept this novella from being five stars. One was that the ending (not gonna spoil it) squandered an opportunity to pit the two main women of the story against each other. It would have been something really interesting to delve into, to see how far the boundaries of friendship could be stretched in an environment of disarray. That said though, I can respect what Jeffery went for with the ending that he came up with. Another issue with the novella that I had was that their was an opportunity where Klein (the antagonist of the story) was given a little complexity that almost made him become more than just another abusive husband characterization. However, the story didn't end up fully realizing Klein's complex as I would have wanted, but this doesn't mean I found Klein to not be a poor antagonist. Overall though, if you have a strong stomach, you should not pass this tale up.
December 2, 2020
I'm late to this party, but boy was it great to arrive!
I started reading Juniper, alongside some other books, I thought it could be done, but this little novella demands attention! It wraps you in its pages, you have to know, what's next.
In his debut, Jeffery depicts bleak landscapes emitting deep desperation, effortlessly, dread spreads through the people, and the minds of the readers. You see, it causes you to question, just how much suffering, is enough!
Juniper is burning, the ground in ruins, life is fast fading. The people of Juniper have experienced flooding, and are now forced to endure sweltering heat, if you're from the south you'll relate. Except, this is a larger scale, there's no relief. Crops are dying, water becoming scarce, and food, good luck. This land is almost uninhabitable!
Essentially, we follow the lives of two seemingly different women, Betty, a cronish older lady, with a penchant for seclusion, and Janet, a miserable middle-aged woman, struggling to survive her marriage.
We enter the first scene alongside Betty, who stumbles across something, broken and mangled, it's unrecognizable. Betty, she's been alone for quite some time, so she nurses it back to health, she cares for it, needs it. Her little secret. Throughout all of this, her secret is almost discovered, yet she manages to keep it hidden. It's growing stronger by the day.
Janet, poor Janet, she suffers greatly in this neverending cycle with Klein, her husband, he's a small guy, insecure, and overly abusive. He's ppushing Janet to her limits.
The manner, in which Jeffery, has woven this story together is masterful. There are many pieces along the way, and when these pieces start coming together, it will blow you away. It's unexpected, it hits you like a train. Seriously, when it clicked, I almost launched my kindle across the room!
I can see me talking about this novella for quite some time, the world that is being laid before us is truly immersive, and I look forward to more time in Juniper!
If you get the big reveal, let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts.
I gave this 5 ⭐️
I started reading Juniper, alongside some other books, I thought it could be done, but this little novella demands attention! It wraps you in its pages, you have to know, what's next.
In his debut, Jeffery depicts bleak landscapes emitting deep desperation, effortlessly, dread spreads through the people, and the minds of the readers. You see, it causes you to question, just how much suffering, is enough!
Juniper is burning, the ground in ruins, life is fast fading. The people of Juniper have experienced flooding, and are now forced to endure sweltering heat, if you're from the south you'll relate. Except, this is a larger scale, there's no relief. Crops are dying, water becoming scarce, and food, good luck. This land is almost uninhabitable!
Essentially, we follow the lives of two seemingly different women, Betty, a cronish older lady, with a penchant for seclusion, and Janet, a miserable middle-aged woman, struggling to survive her marriage.
We enter the first scene alongside Betty, who stumbles across something, broken and mangled, it's unrecognizable. Betty, she's been alone for quite some time, so she nurses it back to health, she cares for it, needs it. Her little secret. Throughout all of this, her secret is almost discovered, yet she manages to keep it hidden. It's growing stronger by the day.
Janet, poor Janet, she suffers greatly in this neverending cycle with Klein, her husband, he's a small guy, insecure, and overly abusive. He's ppushing Janet to her limits.
The manner, in which Jeffery, has woven this story together is masterful. There are many pieces along the way, and when these pieces start coming together, it will blow you away. It's unexpected, it hits you like a train. Seriously, when it clicked, I almost launched my kindle across the room!
I can see me talking about this novella for quite some time, the world that is being laid before us is truly immersive, and I look forward to more time in Juniper!
If you get the big reveal, let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts.
I gave this 5 ⭐️
October 14, 2024
A good writer will weave you an entertaining yarn. Perhaps throw in a few surprises here and there. But a great writer will craft a world from the dust on the broken road beneath your weary feet to the blazing sky above your aching, splitting scalp. They will write like they actually give a damn. That is the kind of writer we’re dealing with here.
And as one who likes to tunnel into a read, I fell deep down this macabre rabbit hole Ross had dug for me. I would melt under the hot Juniper sun. I would cower at feral beasts watching from the dark. I would sob at memories that weren’t my own. I would taste the warm, slimy copper of blood on my teeth.
The three characters, Betty, Klein and Janet are given to us as fully formed human beings: hated and loved, complicated and compromising, real and raw. Far from perfect. At times far from even likeable. Exactly how characters should be, because that is how people are, as much as most of them may pretend they are not…
And if you haven’t guessed it by now, this one is not for the squeamish. For those of you who squeal at the mere mention of maggots, there are plenty here, but they will be the least of your problems. If you don’t like the suffering animals, this won’t be a princess party for you either. But don’t worry, dears, it’s only fiction. Just try not to go into tales such as these fully unprepared. Lest you get splatterpunk’d!
And as one who likes to tunnel into a read, I fell deep down this macabre rabbit hole Ross had dug for me. I would melt under the hot Juniper sun. I would cower at feral beasts watching from the dark. I would sob at memories that weren’t my own. I would taste the warm, slimy copper of blood on my teeth.
The three characters, Betty, Klein and Janet are given to us as fully formed human beings: hated and loved, complicated and compromising, real and raw. Far from perfect. At times far from even likeable. Exactly how characters should be, because that is how people are, as much as most of them may pretend they are not…
And if you haven’t guessed it by now, this one is not for the squeamish. For those of you who squeal at the mere mention of maggots, there are plenty here, but they will be the least of your problems. If you don’t like the suffering animals, this won’t be a princess party for you either. But don’t worry, dears, it’s only fiction. Just try not to go into tales such as these fully unprepared. Lest you get splatterpunk’d!
October 25, 2020
It's more 3.5 stars for me.
Firstly, if you're a cat lover, you're in for bad time 😅
After I finished reading, I had to grab my two cats and hug them until they wriggled out and gave me worried looks.
Secondly, this book will have triggers if you've experienced domestic abuse. I myself haven't experienced it but my stomach turned at Jeffery's descriptions. In a good way, as weird as it is to say that as I feel he captured the relationship between Janet and Klein really well.
Despite the horrific domestic abuse and the people of Juniper's method of staving off starvation, I really enjoyed the mirroring effect on the two protagonists, elderly Betty and Janet. Both of them are lonely and they seek out each other for comfort. I really loved how the ending strengthened their friendship.
The climax had me on the edge of my seat and the ending had me by surprise and I must admit, I got a bit confused. Who really was Tom?
I'm excited for book 2 but Jeffery better lay off the cats! 😆
Firstly, if you're a cat lover, you're in for bad time 😅
After I finished reading, I had to grab my two cats and hug them until they wriggled out and gave me worried looks.
Secondly, this book will have triggers if you've experienced domestic abuse. I myself haven't experienced it but my stomach turned at Jeffery's descriptions. In a good way, as weird as it is to say that as I feel he captured the relationship between Janet and Klein really well.
Despite the horrific domestic abuse and the people of Juniper's method of staving off starvation, I really enjoyed the mirroring effect on the two protagonists, elderly Betty and Janet. Both of them are lonely and they seek out each other for comfort. I really loved how the ending strengthened their friendship.
The climax had me on the edge of my seat and the ending had me by surprise and I must admit, I got a bit confused. Who really was Tom?
I'm excited for book 2 but Jeffery better lay off the cats! 😆
January 30, 2021
A Dark and Disturbing Nightmare
With JUNIPER, Ross Jeffery has created one of those towns that exist only in bad dreams. A lost town, not on the map, and populated with a cast of characters that don’t even realize how far gone they really are.
Ross takes us on a detailed tour of this town, in all its disgusting glory, showing us the people who live and die there. There are passages in this book that seem like Ross was on a mission to make the reader squirm with discomfort. He certainly doesn’t shy away from the grotesque.
I had the sense that JUNIPER was a town I’ve been to, maybe in a dream. I place I walked through, felt like I was being watched. The specifics of places, buildings, cars, streets—all drawn in loving detail by a writer in full control of his creativity.
Ross has done such an incredible job of setting the stage for a world he returns to in TOME, a book I’m very much looking forward to after reading this.
With JUNIPER, Ross Jeffery has created one of those towns that exist only in bad dreams. A lost town, not on the map, and populated with a cast of characters that don’t even realize how far gone they really are.
Ross takes us on a detailed tour of this town, in all its disgusting glory, showing us the people who live and die there. There are passages in this book that seem like Ross was on a mission to make the reader squirm with discomfort. He certainly doesn’t shy away from the grotesque.
I had the sense that JUNIPER was a town I’ve been to, maybe in a dream. I place I walked through, felt like I was being watched. The specifics of places, buildings, cars, streets—all drawn in loving detail by a writer in full control of his creativity.
Ross has done such an incredible job of setting the stage for a world he returns to in TOME, a book I’m very much looking forward to after reading this.
December 14, 2022
I kept wondering where the action was and when the payoff would be. I wasn't disappointed. If you see an old lady looking for roadkill to cook, just pretend it never happened.
August 20, 2020
For the first page or two I wasn't sure about this, as the writing is a little strange. I can see why people keep mentioning Cormac McCarthy, but it's not too much like his writing - just vaguely resonant of it. I can also understand the Stephen King references - but also for me it reminded me of Willa Carter's Prairie Trilogy (O Pioneers! specifically) with its great evocation of unfamiliar lives & places.
I quickly tuned into it and the story gets going quickly and carries you along - one of those books you keep wanting to get back to reading when life gets in the way. The story is nice and tight - three main characters, all wonderfully drawn, and I found myself very drawn in. Turned the last few pages almost too fast as I was gagging to know what happened.
Looking forward to reading everything else this chap emits!
I quickly tuned into it and the story gets going quickly and carries you along - one of those books you keep wanting to get back to reading when life gets in the way. The story is nice and tight - three main characters, all wonderfully drawn, and I found myself very drawn in. Turned the last few pages almost too fast as I was gagging to know what happened.
Looking forward to reading everything else this chap emits!
January 3, 2021
Hot damn, this was good stuff. One of the richest, most visceral and lyrical novels I’ve read in a while. I’m a known sucker for deeply place-based writing, and the world of Juniper is just that. If you read this novel—and by god you should—be sure to bring a rag to mop the sweat off your brow, because you can feel the heat coming off of the scorched landscape. Top notch prose here.
And to show you it’s no fluke, I’m about halfway through this author’s novella-in-flash, Tethered, and am impressed there, as well. I’ll be snagging myself the follow-up to Juniper, titled Tome, which has already been racking up some stellar reviews, real soon. Go ahead and save yourselves some time and order all three 😎
And to show you it’s no fluke, I’m about halfway through this author’s novella-in-flash, Tethered, and am impressed there, as well. I’ll be snagging myself the follow-up to Juniper, titled Tome, which has already been racking up some stellar reviews, real soon. Go ahead and save yourselves some time and order all three 😎
January 15, 2020
Truly weird and wild, Juniper will keep you rapt in morbid curiosity, even through the moments you want to recoil. Ross Jeffery's descriptions trigger viscerally and psychologically as we follow our unlikely protagonist, Betty, in her daily struggle for survival and her attempt to save a strange, mangled beast. Though dark and uncomfortable, this story is not without humor, humanity, and remarkable heroes. Once you leave, there'll always be a piece of you sweltering in Juniper
February 26, 2020
oss Jeffrey's "Juniper" is a slow burn of a horror novel. He has created an apocalypse where the world seems to be ending with a whimper, rather than a bang. Jeffreys brings us the people in a strange, small, Southern town where the people and landscape are suffering in equal measure. It's both an intriguing premise and an exercise in body horror and dread. This feels like the first in a series, so I look forward to more from this author.
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